TURN PAGES by clicking the arrows at the side of the page, or by using the toolbar.

ZOOM IN by clicking anywhere on the page.READ by dragging the page around when zoomed in.ZOOM OUT by clicking anywhere on the page when zoomed in.VISIT web sites or send emails by clicking on hyperlinks.

Print Page

Email this page to a friend

Search this issue

Index - jump to page or section

Archive - view past issues

Registration to Air Force News is free.Once registered you will be notified by email when new issue is published.

Call 1300 784 246
or visit www.spect.com.au
Wealth Creation Strategists - Advising Defence Personnel for 27 years
Get financially fit. For life.
Imagine having enough assets
to create income for life...
that's nancial tness.
A Defence specialist
will be visiting your
area soon! Book now
to arrange a Free
Financial Review.
Spectrum's wealth creation
strategies consider:
• Property Investments
• Tax Planning
• Loan Structures
• Defence Entitlements
• Superannuation
Fast becoming the #1 tax agent
for ADF members
Call 1300 76 35 75 24/7
or visit us online at
www.phatreturns.com.au
Defence Force tax specialists - We have extensive
experience across all ranks and specialities,
including:
Members who have ser ved overseas,
and/or have investment properties
Members who have fallen behind on
lodging their tax returns
Maximum returns - We know all the specific
deductions, so you get a great tax return every year!
Phone consultations - All tax returns are completed
over the phone, so you don't have to leave your base,
ship or assignment.
One tax agent - We are not limited by locality so you
and your family don't ever have to look for another tax
agent again.
3
News
AIR FORCE September 17, 2009
AIR FORCE will operate Heron
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs),
in close collaboration with the Ca-
nadian Forces, to support Australian
troops in Afghanistan.
Defence Minister Senator John
Faulkner announced the leading edge
acquisition on September 7.
"This high resolution intelligence,
surveillance and reconnaissance capa-
bility will enhance the capability of
Australian forces in Afghanistan,"
Senator Faulkner said.
The Heron UAV is a one-tonne
aircraft capable of medium altitude,
long-endurance flights. Under Project
NANKEEN, the Defence Materiel
Organisation has signed a contract
with Canadian company MacDonald,
Dettwiler and Associates Ltd (MDA)
to lease Heron UAV services, which
will provide high-resolution intelli-
gence, surveillance and reconnaissance
(ISR) capability.
The ADF has signed a
Memorandum of Understanding with
the Canadian Forces, which already
operate Heron UAVs in Afghanistan.
In July, Air Force and Australian
Army personnel undertook Heron
training in Canada. These personnel
have now been absorbed within the
Canadian Heron UAV Detachment
at Kandahar Airfield conducting
combat operations in support of the
Quick facts and figures
International Security Assistance Force
in Afghanistan.
This has meant the ADF has rap-
idly established its Heron capabil-
ity by drawing on the Canadians'
operational knowledge, experience
and facilities.
"The Australian Government
greatly appreciates the assistance of
the Canadian Defence Force in this
project," Senator Faulkner said.
When the systems acquired through
the NANKEEN contract are delivered
to Kandahar, Australia will establish
its full Heron detachment of Air Force
and Army personnel.
"Air power of the future will involve
a balance of manned and unmanned
platforms. In particular, a long endur-
ance UAV can enhance force protec-
tion by providing ground commanders
with real-time intelligence," Senator
Faulkner said.
"The experience that Air Force
gains in operating long-endurance
UAVs in Afghanistan will also help
shape the development of unmanned
Defence capabilities for Australia
through the next decade."
Heron can conduct operations in
excess of 24 hours, with a maximum
speed of more than 100 knots (180
km/h) and at altitudes of up to 10,000
metres. It can carry a combination of
sensors which communicate with the
ground control station in real time.
Air Force gets UAVs
MORE EYES IN THE SKIES: Above, Air Force F-111, Hornet, Orion and C-130 aircrew and Army ISTAR
personnel in Canada for training on the Heron UAV earlier this year. Below, the UAV in flight.
The Heron UAV has a wingspan of 16.6 metres,
a length of 8.5 metres and a maximum take-off
weight of more than one tonne.
The Heron navigates using a Global Positioning
System and also has a back-up capability to
enable operations in a GPS-denied environment.
Leading-edge technology to help
Aussie operations in Afghanistan